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HelpTest Code LAB6020 Culture, Bacterial, Aerobic Only Intravascular Catheter Tip
Additional Codes
| Test Name in EPIC | EPIC Test Code | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|
| CULTURE, CATHETER TIP | LAB6020 | Cath Tip Cx |
Useful For/Utility
Aid in the diagnosis of catheter-related sepsis.
Methodology
Direct smear not performed.
Clinical Information
Intravascular catheter-related infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The Infectious Diseases Society of America practice guidelines for management of these infections include culture of both catheters and blood. Central catheter infection may manifest as infection at the skin insertion site, as cellulitis along the soft tissues overlying the tunneled portion, or as bacteremia without evidence of external infection at either of these superficial sites. Bacteremia occurs secondarily to infection of the central catheter or as a manifestation of more serious complications, including septic thrombophlebitis or endocarditis. Laboratory confirmations of central catheter infection requires recovery of the same organisms from a patient's blood and from cultures of the catheter tip or from paired cultures drawn through the catheter lumen.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.
Whenever possible, culture specimens should be obtained before antibiotics or antimicrobial agents have been administered.
If tips are cut to proper length, there is no need to bend them into transport container.
Note: 1. To prevent contamination by skin microorganisms and antibiotic ointment, clean the skin insertion site with alcohol prior to removal of cannula.
2. Remove cannula in an aseptic manner once alcohol has dried. If purulence of catheter exit site is evident, send pus for culture and Gram stain.
Specimen source is required.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Long catheters
Acceptable Specimens:
Long-term percutaneous (Broviac, Hickman, Raaf, Groshong, Quinton)
Long-term subcutaneous ports (Infus-a-Port, Port-a-Cath, Med-I-Port)
Short-term percutaneous (Swan-Ganz [plus introducer], Intra-Cath, Cordis, MultiLumen, Udall [for hemodialysis])
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 2-3 cm
Collection Instructions: Two portions of these catheters should be sent in a sterile container for culture: distal intravascular tip and proximal transcutaneous segment. Each segment should be approximately 2 to 3 cm long.
Additional Information:
1. Blood cultures x 2 are mandatory (per Infection Control) within 1 to 2 hours of tip removal.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
3. No direct smear is performed.
Specimen Type: Short catheters
Acceptable Specimens: Arterial, peripheral, steel needles, umbilical
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Adequate specimen
Collection Instructions:
1. The cannula is cultured in its entirety following removal of hub. To remove hub, use sterile scissors, or snap off steel needles with a sterile Hemostat.
2. Place cannula in a sterile container.
Additional Information:
1. Blood cultures x 2 are mandatory (per Infection Control) within 1 to 2 hours of tip removal.
2. No direct smear is performed.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient OK/Refrigerate NO/Frozen NO
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Microbiology -
St. Joseph's Medical Center Lab
SMDC Clinical Lab, Virginia Hospital Lab
Fargo Hospital Lab, Fosston Hospital Lab, St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes Hospital Lab
Test Classification and CPT Coding
87071
Additional CPT codes will be billed when appropriate.
Reference Values
Colony counts <15 are considered negative
Colony counts ≥15 signify infection